STATE

Is this your favorite dog breed? New study says Ohio loves this dog breed best

Cole Behrens
Columbus Dispatch
Zeta, a German Shepherd who works at Tampa International Airport.

What's Ohio's favorite dog?

Around two-thirds of U.S. households own a dog, and they come in dozens of different breeds, so it's natural to have a preference. Forbes surveyed 10,000 dog owners across the country to find out which breeds rank supreme in the U.S. Results encompassed the top 25 most popular breeds nationwide, according to USA Today.

And according to the survey, the German Shepherd is Ohio's favorite dog. The Buckeye State joins 15 other states in selecting the breed as their favorite, making German Shepherds the most popular dog by number of states.

If you go nationwide, however, the Australian Shepherd breed actually just narrows out a lead over their German counterparts, taking 7.2% of the national share to 7.1%

All about German Shepherds

German Shepherds (which, as the name suggests, originated in Germany), are known for loyalty, courage, confidence and the ability to learn commands for many tasks, according to The American Kennel Club (AKC). For this reason, the breed is not only popular for families but is the most commonly employed dog for law enforcement K-9 units and military support roles.

While a generally healthy breed, German shepherds can experience bloat, a life-threatening swelling of the abdomen, according to the AKC.

They grow 22 to 26 inches tall and have a life expectancy of seven to 10 years.

Ohio loves German Shepherds. But what about neighboring states?

According to the survey, here are the breeds Ohio's neighbors like the most:

  • Indiana: Australian Shepherd
  • Kentucky: German Shepherd
  • Michigan: German Shepherd and Golden Retriever (tie)
  • Pennsylvania: Bernese Mountain Dog
  • West Virginia: Bulldog, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd and Boxer (tie)

What are the top 10 favorite dog breeds in the United States?

  • Australia Shepherds (7.2%)
  • German Shepherds (7.1%)
  • Bulldogs (6.5%)
  • Labrador Retriever (6%)
  • Bernese Mountain Dog (5.6%)
  • Beagle (5.2%)
  • Golden Retriever (5.1%)
  • Boston Terrier (4.7%)
  • Boxer (4.5%)
  • Shih Tzu (3.1%)
  • Dachshund (3.1%)
  • Siberian Husky (3%)

USA Today contributed to this report

@Colebehr_report

Cbehrens@dispatch.com